1988 ProCo RAT (LM308) | Gain Appreciation
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ก.ย. 2024
- Get your own RAT:
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This 1988 ProCo RAT is perhaps my favourite pedal. It's got some filthy stack-like distortion sweetened by the limitations of its iconic LM308 opamp.
Pair you RAT with a Compressor:
Thomann - www.thomann.de...
Sweetwater - imp.i114863.ne...
Additional reading:
www.electrosma...
www.analog.com...
#procorat #lm308 #guitareffects
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Get your own RAT:
Thomann - www.thomann.de/intl/proco_rat...
Sweetwater - imp.i114863.net/QMLM3
This 1988 ProCo RAT is perhaps my favourite pedal. It's got some filthy stack-like distortion sweetened by the limitations of its iconic LM308 opamp.
Pair you RAT with a Compressor:
Thomann - www.thomann.de/intl/tc_electr...
Sweetwater - imp.i114863.net/rMjYv
Additional reading:
www.electrosmash.com/proco-rat
www.analog.com/media/en/techn...
#procorat #lm308 #guitareffects
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Nice review and historical info! I learned something. This pedal is a staple of Morbid Angel tone, so it has massive historical significance to me. Lone Wolf Audio’s Plague Rat and The Plague are the best overall modern clones of this pedal, IMO.
Colin,
I just went to reverb and typed in National Semiconductor Lm308n and viola' some dude is selling brand new ones for $17.95 and has 6 in stock! Thought you might like to know (9/3/20)
When you want boost, overdrive, heavy distortion, and fuzz, the Rat does all!
I've had one of these on my board since 1986..... I never looked back.
Or just a Filter (treble boost) effect. It can really brighten an amp.
No doubt, I don't hace the original but I have a Rat simulation on my Digitech distortion factory and sound very very close
@@eduardoherrera3341
You should try a Kmise Crunch
Rat has proven itself once again, I should really get one.
It's showing its age but still an iconic pedal. The rep of the RAT was it could make a shitty sounding amp sound great.
And any guitar/any pickup too. I love my Rat. Whatever I plug into it, it makes it sound incredible. Theres only a few pedals/amps that make the bridge single coil on my strat usable with high gain, it's too trebely for most stuff. But the Rat sounds fantastic with it, as does the OCD since that is such a bassy pedal
Turns my 65 Twin into a fire-breathing dragon.
I’ve loved this guitar channel for years but just know this pedal also has infamy in the acid genres of electronic music!!
THAT is interesting to know. Is there any song you can link me to?
@@TheChadPad I can't think of any specific tunes off the top of my head, but a search for 'pro co rat 303' should showcase the sound!
Thanks for the tip. I did a search and sure enough, it's THE sound we all recognise.
Acid house?
So like acid house?
Thumbs up just for Skid Row!
Watching this while sitting next to my Rat pedal that I got for $20 from my guitar teacher: probably the best deal I’ve ever made in my life. The absolute best doom metal pedal.
While it's definitely one of the favourites in the Doom community, there's fierce competition from the Big Muff, FZ-2 Hyper Fuzz & D*A*M Meathead circuits for that title!
@@andrewflint9551 Agreed. Titles aside, TS + RAT = Sunn o)))
And their tone is easily some of the doomiest tones known to man
@@michaeldoerksen2841 I run those 2 thru an orange. I'm satisfied with it.
I got a 1993 Gibson les Paul studio for an amp I payed $150 for
Man the rat is an iconic pedal that guitar players are fond of. Some metal and rock hits have this pedal as the go to distortion unit.
I've always wanted to try a rat because Josh from jhs said it's one of his favorite pedals, and because it's like a fuzz distortion which is cool
It's absolutely one of the best pedals ever made. It's simple and flawed, but that makes it magical.
Carson
@@mladyavery9138 Carson king
I got one of the JHS modded RATs on Reverb; gnarly like the 80s versions plus, a turbo rat AND clean boost setting. Better than one of these old ones? Maybe not, but damn good.
Because Josh said lolololol
Got a 1991 LM308 Rat, is all you need in life
kcor s`tel
Still have my 86 Rat, used on Texas leg/ opening dates on the Metallica master of puppets tour when I was with the Godz.
I remember the Godz. My buddy had a cassette and played it for me on acid. Heh heh.
I think I've heard of the Godz, from some older musicians in the Columbus Ohio area
I might be kind of an oddball in this, but I use my Rat for blues and blues rock. A strat into a Rat into about any 6v6 amp will give you some of the thickest, meatiest tone you could ever hope for.
I like to roll the guitar volume off with my Rat. Keeps the tonality just takes the hair off. Add delay and you got epic solo tone. Does "woman tone" really well with humbuckers too
The Rat is great for when you just gotta let 'er rip.
I use a JCM900 MkIII with the first - only the first - preamp gain section all the way up. I have a volume pedal that drops the levels for "clean" sounds, which also conveniently allows distortion pedals to play nice with the preamp. I've noticed that this tends to blend the sound of the pedal with the trademark Marshall splatter fart. The Rat, with all of its nastiness, sounds particularly glorious in this setup.
I also have the mkiii... It's soooo good... Amazing amp... I also have a mooer black magic (rat clone with the lm chip) great combination
Using a modded You Dirty Rat through a Plexi reissue these days, but I sure miss my JCM900 MK3. Killer amp
I've always hated the fizziness I get out of literally any distortion pedal/high-gain amp I get my hands on these days. I usually low-pass to try to mend the issue, but it's not an ideal fix. I really want something like this that is physically incapable of producing that fizziness in the first place. It sounds absolutely incredible
Well technically it's possible to replicate this with modern circuitry, there's some ultra low power op-amps with low enough slew rate to get into 7KHz top frequency, with some trial and test I bet it's totally possible to get some ultra efficient modern electronics RAT like sound.
eq out some top end, fixed
@@arroncusimano9169 That doesn't always do it, because in a lot of cases you can't reduce the fizziness without losing clarity.
@@arroncusimano9169 Haha lol
It’s the distortion pedal standard.
I love the RAT. I don’t have one anymore but I have the EQD Life pedal which is basically the same thing but with a added MOSFET boost. THICCCC nasty tones are best suited for the pedal I love it! Great video as always Colin!
I love the rat, but for bass as well. It's magical, gets everything from light rock grit to full on grind.
yes!!!!! the rat is THE PEDAL both for bass and guitar.... I also like the Big Muff Russian for bass, just for a different taste
I just got one in yesterday. I'm loving it so far
James used one on Kill 'em All, so yeah, a kick ass pedal for sure.
This is the only thing he used that didn't increase in price
@@ayoutubeaccount864 You know how expensive proco rat's from the early 80s are? Or was it just sarcasm?
@@marvintimke3978 i think they mean just the pedal in general
That rat was stolen with their modded amps and other shit from kill em all so i can imagine if someone found out they had it itd be sold for a pretty penny lmao
Always love the videos mate, feel like I’ve taken a crash course in electrical engineering learning about the chip. Thanks for the high quality content!
Just ordered one, I'm excited
A former teacher
(& guitarist from The Busboys)
at GIT recommended the rat to me about 20 years ago & I never looked back.
Drives my old AC10 wonderfully.
I remember using A ProCo RAT at a recording session I did in 1989 and was COMPLETELY BLOWN AWAY, all around the ProCo Rat is one of the best DISTORTION PEDALS EVER MADE HANDS DOWN.🎼🎸🎼
An LM308 Rat demo and not a single Sunn O))) riff? You're a brave man, Colin.
I just bought a white face one from 1985 just because its one hell of a distortion pedal.its worth every penny .yes sir.👍👍👍🎸🎸🔥🔥🔥🎸👍👍👍
Forever my favorite Distortion! Just sounds...RIGHT.
Thank you so much! I had to substitute the speaker of my 20-year-old Marshall solid state amplifier, but the new modern speaker was sounding like a full bee hive! With the information that you gave in this video, I built a low pass filter to cut everything above 5khz. It's amazing now. Like it used to sound with the original speaker but with lots of extra bass! Not muffed at all!. Your channel is one of those where you find really good information on TH-cam!
Awesome tone with that Gibson.. wow. Just awesome
I've always loved the sound of that pedal. Loved it back in the late '70s, loved it throughout the '80s, and still love it to this day.
Great video, loved the mixture of academic explanation and demonstration. More like this please!
I’m a sucker for late 80’s metal so this pedal is a gift
This guy is a legend
I've got the first edition rat ever made. The fringe logo. Always kept it in the original box since new. Not a single scratch or blemish whatsoever. She's beautiful.
This is an exceptional explanation of a pedal I own and haven't quite figured out why I like as much as I do. Thanks!
I remember reading about them when I was a kid and wanting one. Alas, it never happened. I should track one down.
Buy a new Rat and swap the opamp for an LM308. Way cheaper and relatively easy with some knowledge of pedal mods
My first pedal in the early 90s. Hearing it here brings back so many memories!
Youth Gone Wild 🔥
I like the compression idea....now your going to make me dig that thing back out.
Might be my first pedal after 20 years. Works great with a bass guitar and by your upload, it sounds grand on guitars.
I ran over my first one with my Mustang in August,1989. Not my proudest moment. I got a replacement a month later, and still have it today. It is am amazing pedal.
The opamp in the modern RAT has the same slow slew rate as the LM308, so it behaves very similarly. The signal breakup is slightly different at very high distortion settings, but at the settings where the RAT sounds best (Distortion at 11 o'clock, Volume at 3 o'clock), they sound near identical.
Just seen a 1984 RAT for sale for £495 😂. Some crazy prices knocking around. I bought a used modern RAT 2, mint, boxed, posted for £54...it works for me 👍.
I subscribed to you channel 3 years ago or so and I must say that your playing is just getting better and better. If you don’t believe me then just ask me. 🤘 Rock on brother!
Great distortion and fuzz without the noise that other distortion pedals usually have.
A few years ago I picked up a LM308 Rat clone (a Mr Rodent apparently) off a Facebook group for not very much money. It's in a completely unmarked enclosure, like a DIY pedal. It has since become my favorite distortion, and I keep finding new tones with it. It's my mystery box that sounds great. I love that it's impossible to know what it is unless you are a proper tone freak who can tell by the sound.
Great info and great playing! Mine should be here today, can't wait.
Wow man! I've been rocking the Ratt since before you were born!
Great demo. I've never thought about having a RAT around until now.
Great video! I really like your effect reviews and spot on explanations. Keep it up :)
1) Thanks for noting the "unique" properties of the LM308. Sometimes poorer technology is *exactly* what we want.
2) I don't think many realize how much, and how often, what one is hearing from a "hard-clipping" pedal is actually double clipping. We acknowledge double clipping in pedals like the Big Muff or Boss HM-2 and similar, where we can see that the signal is boosted, clipped by diodes, then boosted and clipped again by a 2nd set of diodes. But consider pedals like the venerable MXR Distortion+, the DOD250, and their derivatives. A hard-struck wound string may give you a signal of about 60-100mv in amplitude; a chord even more. Powered by +9v, the most a typical op-amp can amplify a signal to is +/-3.5V. So, one can amplify that unwound string signal by 35-40x before you run out of headroom and the op-amp itself clips, without any diodes playing a role. The Distortion+ and 250 have maximum gains of 213x (less for content below 720hz), so they clip the signal without any participation from the diodes. The diodes re-clip the already clipped signal.
The classic Rat applies a maximum gain of well over 3000x (that's NOT a mistake; all three zeroes should be there) for content above roughly 1.5khz., and a bit over 260x for content below 1.5khz. Clearly the humble LM308 is pushed well past its capabilities. You could take the diodes in the Rat, pack them up and send them on holiday, and it would still be VERY distorted. So, to my mind, the Rat is a "double-clipper". IT obviously doesn't sound like a Big Muff, but applies a similar sort of principle: clip twice to rock.
3) Where pedals like the Tube Screamer and Distortion+ make a point of rolling off the lows at 6db/oct, the Rat deploys a strategy of selectively boosting the highs and mids, and leaving things below that relatively flat. The result is that unlike those other pedals, the Rat retains a pleasing "grunt" and heft that is welcomed by 4x12 stacks.
Good video Colin! I hated Rat pedals for most of my life until I bought an EHX Flatiron Fuzz a year or two ago when they came out. That’s their Rat clone. I knew what it was when I bought it, but I was still curious, and I fell in love with it. All of a sudden I’m a Rat convert and I now own the Flatiron Fuzz along with a Rat 2 and a Rat Roadkill from the 90’s, and I’m on the prowl for more versions. Thanks for breaking it down for me! 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼
This is a great video and fabulous playing too. You have beautifully showcased what IMO is the best distortion pedal among a myriad of choices out there and have given an intelligent explanation of the unique, unexpected factors giving it that smooth, lovely, full tone without the fizzy, fuzzy high end that afflicts so many high gain pedals. .I got an original in the 70's and used it for years, both live and for recording, with my Fender Vibrolux, Princeton and Twin Reverb amps for when I needed that hard rock crunch for power chords and for really singing leads. Unfortunately, I lost that wonderful pedal somewhere along the way. I'm very happy that I just recently picked up the Rat 2. Cost-efficient, built like a tank and really delivers! And, I don't know why, but after watching the video, I had an urge to enjoy some Glenlivet...
You can tighten it up by running another drive or boost into it also. Really is a fun pedal with a surprising amount of versatility.
Great video Colin. I have had a rat model on my modeling amp. I found it has a very nice singing distortion. It really can make a guitar sing without being too harsh. It makes for a great unit even for those that don't play metal. I find it works nice with some jazz fusion.
This was my first pedal I bought back in 1988/89...so I could play "Anesthesia". Was in my mid-teens & just picked up bass. Think'n about pic'n one of these up lately. Thanx for the review.
The Caroline Wave Cannon MKII is my favorite RAT-style pedal. All these sounds and so much more!
Video hasn’t even started and I already liked it. I know Colin has quality content.
Got one from 89 on my board. Killer sounds!!
Humbucker + low/drop tuning + rat with volume control maxed + tube amp = instant doom/stoner tones
Well done Colin. Rat love.
I have a 1986 Rat with the LM308! One of my first pedals ever. Such a good pedal!
HAHAHAHA: BEST LINE - THE SCIENCE OF LOUD ! ! ! NO MID AND FULL FILTH , PLEASE ! LOVE YR VIDS. 2 CHEERS FROM CANADA !
Hey I cast the winning vote! :D I chose the rat because I have a clone on my board (Mooer) and it's pretty faithful, I get great tow-ens but it's a bit tricky to dial in, it doesn't play nice with my other pedals, I think this has helped me understand why, thanks Colin!
Tonight is the first rehearsal I've had with my band in 4 months (screw you 'rona), and I've missed smashing my Texas special equipped Strat through my Rat 2. I can't wait!!!
Brother, I can listen to you play 80's licks all damn night!
Just one point, Colin, the slew rate doesn't stop the op-amp passing signal above a certain frequency, but it does distort the signal more and more the higher the frequency. This type of distortion is commonly encountered in power amp design, and part of power amp distortion is that imparted by the slew-rate. Maybe this is why the RAT has proved popular as it emulates pushed power tubes?
It's also a much more versatile pedal than it's generally given credit for. Even though technically it's hard-clipping distortion, it can also do crunchy overdrive-like sounds, and if properly boosted, it can go into fuzz territory.
I was thinking about getting one for my bass, my bass hero Krist Novoselic used one
I have used one with both my p bass and my Rick for like 25 years now. It does what all guitar pedals do if you push the gain it won't keep the low end Intact and the sound starts to become thin. However it works if not pushed too hard and in a mix it's a really nice tool to really spice up your sound. On my Rick O have experimented with doubling it (stereo outputs so one clean one dirty) and then you can really eff around with it. Also I have 2 rats one my dad got in the 89s when I was like 7 and one I bought myself back in 2001. They don't sound a like at all when pushed hard. The older one is smoother on both guitar and bass while the never one has a more fizzy quality. If you buy one for your bass I recommend trying them out and try a bunch of them. I found them to be a bit inconsistent in how they handle low-end depending on age and use. GL and hope it helps.
guy from Unsane uses it on bass as well and the first thing he does after a gig is unpluging the rat and taking it to safety. i totally get him.
You might need a bass EQ pedal because once RAT gains up the low end might drop
Yep, I like it for bass.
Same situation here bud! My Pro Co Rat 2 '04 came in the mail today and i got Krist's tone in no time. obvs with a jazz bass and the proper eq.
Excellent vid on a classic pedal. Adding the comp had a cool effect. Another favorite pairing is a tubescreamer into a Rat. Tames some of that woofy bass, adds sustain, smooths the gain. Similar effect to adding the compressor but using a pedal almost every guitarist is likely to already own.
>demo a RAT
>Don't play any doom with it
I don't feel very haired over here in my demographic, Colin 😤
Youth Gone Wild, hell yeah!! 🤟🏻
I bought this pedal in 1985. Still going.
It has a 1/8" power jack like EHX pedals.
I like stacking an overdrive pedal in front of it - I use a tube screamer clone - the boost helps with low-output single coils, and the mid range helps it sing a bit more.
Picked up a Keeley modded Rat years ago. That includes tha addition of that chip but also three modes of operation. Still one of my favorite pedals
Desert island pedal.
The Rat is a true Icon pedal, had the first model when it came out took me a little over a month to save up for it at $99.00 and the EH Memory Man was $199.00 a few months later..
Looks badass and sounds great. The pedal too.
Next thing we need is a ProCo Rat Amplifier. An amp with the same tech built from the pedal itself, all tubed, contains its own on-board speaker modeled after a Celestion G12T-75, or Greenback-25s, or Seventy-80, minimalist controls like on the pedal, and endorsed by Warren DeMartini from Ratt.
Still have my 'big box' from '81. It can do exactly like you say...
But I've always used it for something entirely different. The Distortion knob has been sitting at max for the past 40 years.*
Can't play chords with it worth a dang that way - but that's not what I use it for. Neck pickup, super syrupy lead tone - single-note stuff.
I know, I know... it can do so much more than that. But it does that so incredibly well, that's what's kept me happy all these years.
* Not sure if it's possible that it could still be rotated away from 'full-up'. :-)
WE ARE THE YOUTH GONE WILD
There's a re-release of this available. In my humble opinion easily the best sounding distortion out there purely because it's so raw
2 minutes in and this is some detailed analysis right here
Great presentation & informative vid, thanks man 👍
You've come a long way since the days of the little Marshall MG head! I love my strymon Riverside for natural sounding creamy distortion and overdrive but there is nothing quite as nasty and fun to play as a Rat!
In my opinion this is just the best "dirt box" EVER!
Great review, Bro. Thanks
Go ProCo!!! 🤘🏽
As well as the 1980s metal / heavy rock sounds it's generally used for, it's also great with single coils for imitating the sound of a older small combo amp being driven hard, when the gain's dialled back to about 8-9 o'clock.
I followed Josh Scott to this channel. I had no idea they had Scottish accents in Pedalstan.
That rat and the Flying V is a match made in heaven
The classic ProCo RAT pedal make a great bass fuzz pedal.
Never had a chance to play a real thing, but Fender Tweed Deluxe + RAT is a killer combination for solos in the most amp sims
Used this pedal in the '80s gigging all over the US. Combined it with a Boss Chorus. What a glorious sound.
I've got an old Dimension C which I like to pair with the RAT, so I'm familiar with the sound you were using.
Great pedal, I’ve been using one since the early 80’s I’ve. Got the one I use and two brand new ones in the original boxes.
Great video, always liked the sound of this pedal must be 80s teenager growing 3listening to Obituary haha
Great for bringing up distortion when running into a clean amp 👌
We are the youth gone wild.......paradise city
Thank you for this. I hated the Rat when I was younger, but I plan for my next drive pedal to be a Walrus Audio Iron Horse V2, which is based on the Rat. I've never before heard a description of how the LM308 affects the circuit, so that is a big help.
classic ratt is the king
very cool! Love those 2 second endings
Got one of these Christmas 88' with my first guitar and amp and played a show two weeks later.
Hey! Skid row!! Now the party is starting!!
I really want a fat rat, the one with the optional mosfet circuit
I have one it’s awesome
@@garretthusky3700 niiiiice, bro :3
I had the opportunity to play my bass through a rat (Ibanez sr400f into a Hughes and kettner 200w amp) it sounded so good. Tightened it all up. In some ways. It was a staple of my sound.
one thing that i find the rat does exceptionally well is doom and drone metal, just crank the gain and volume, and let all the highs through the filter and push it into a slightly broken up amp, and you get massive walls of sustain and doom